Alumni Hall of Fame - Emad H. Kadhim

Emad H. Kadhim ’13
Owner and President,
Roc Industrial LLC

Nominated by Jessica Boden & Ahmad Hasan

“MCC is more than a college—it is a foundation for growth, hope, and opportunity. Being inducted into the MCC Alumni Hall of Fame is a reflection not just of my story, but of what is possible when education and community come together to support those seeking a better life.”

Emad Kadhim, his wife Ayda and young family of four fled Baghdad during the 2006 civil war. After briefly living in Syria, the family moved to Rochester. As a refugee, Emad had to rebuild his life. He did so with resilience and purpose. At the same time he was learning English, he began his studies at Monroe Community College. Emad earned a degree in Electronic Engineering Technology and begin working as an engineering technician at Classic Automation.

Seeing opportunity, Emad started his own company, Roc Industrial LLC, in 2018 from the basement of his home with the help of his family, including all his children, and quickly outgrew the space, moving twice into larger spaces. Housed in a 5,200 square-foot facility, Roc Industrial provides high-quality industrial automation parts and repair for companies across the country and internationally. The ten-person firm recently earned its ISO 9001:2015 certification, a globally recognized standard for quality management systems. Roc Industrial is deeply rooted in the Rochester region as a proud member of the Rochester Technology and Manufacturing Association, the Rochester Business Chamber, the Greece Business Chamber, the Wayne County Business Chamber and the Lyons Main Street Program.

Guided by the belief that one should give more than they take and always honor the people and places that shaped their journey, Emad is deeply committed to giving back, uplifting others, and supporting his local community—especially by mentoring individuals from immigrant and underserved backgrounds who are pursuing careers in trades and technology.

Emad’s connection to MCC runs deep: not only is he an MCC graduate, but so is Ayda, who graduated from the dental assisting program and three of his four children also attended MCC. Emad enjoys reading business leadership books, traveling for international trade opportunities and exploring cultural experiences that support personal and professional growth.